Pneumatic signal



L. M. KUNISIN.

PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4.

Patented Feb. 17 1920.

2 SHEETSHEEI 1 1 .H MW,

L M [fun 21min L. M. KUNISIN.

PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. 4, l9l8- 1,331,158. Patented Feb. 17,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEEI 2.

affowmuf LE ONED KUNISIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17,1920.

Application filed February 4. 1918. Serial No. 215,335.

To all whom it may concern: a

Be it known that I, Lnonnn M. KUNISIN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Ilhnois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Signals, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to automobile signals, and has particular reference to direction signaling mechanisms.

The object of the invention is to provide a pneumatically operated direction signal by means of which a right-hand or a lefthand indicating arm may be thrown into operative position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a unique form of signaling arm and operating device therefor,.whi ch while operating quickly and positivelywill, at the same time withstand the-wear and tearof usage. p w a With the above and other objects in view, and such others relating to the detailsof construction as may hereinafter appear, my invention will now be fully set forth and described reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout, and

Figure 1 is a part elevational and a part diagrammatic view showing fragments of the car andthe enginecasing so thata comprehensive idea of the invention may be gathered.

Fig. 2 1s a new part elevational and part sectional, of one of the signaling devices.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line of Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1. J a

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevationalyiew showing a signal arm in operative positlon, and i Figs. 8 and 9 are an'elevation and a side view, respectively, showing a cover or casing which is employed to protect the mechanism of the signal devices.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 1 represents the frame of the lower section of a-wind-shield which is mounted in the usual manner upon an automobile. Glamped to the vertical end pieces of the frame 1 are the base plates 2, the base plates 2 having the lower widened portions 3 to the rear faces of which the clamps 1 are secured. Said clamps 4 each consist of a body and a hinged plate 5 which are shaped to surround the frame pieces, suitable packing elements 6. being interposed between the clamp members and the frame, as best indicated in Fig. 5. I

Mounted upon each of the extension sections 3 ofthe base plates 2 is a vertically disposed cylinder? within which the piston 8 operates. A stem 9 rising from a piston,

head 8 and extending through the movable top 10 of the cylinder is provided with a rearwardly turned horizontal member 11 which operates in a guide block 12 which receives from the base plate 2, the guide block 12 being vertically grooved to operatively receive the extension 11 as the piston is reciprocated in its cylinder. upon the extension 11 is a link 13 so that it may swing transversely therein, said link 13 having its opposite end pivotally connected to a crank disk 14: which is rotatably Mounted mounted upon the face of the base plate 2.

Extendingupwardly from the crank disk 14. is a comparatively long arm 15 which constitutes a semaphore arm and carries at its free end the target 16. When the piston 8 is forced upwardly in the cylinder 7, the crank disk 14 is operated to throw the arm 15 into horizontal position, the connection of the link 13 to the crank disk being to one side of the dead center line so that the arm 15 will be operated in the proper di rection. The limit of movement into horizontal position of the arm 15 is determined by a tubular extension 17 which surrounds the stem 9 within the cylinder 7 and acts as a stop against which the piston 8 strikes when it is forced upwardly. Bleed openings 18 formed in the cap 10 permit the free progress of the piston 8 within its cylinder.

When the piston 8 is forced upwardly, it

the crank shaft 48 orfthe pump.

the casing of the target 16 is a web 24 within which a signal light 25 is socketed. The lamp 25 is Wired intoa suitable electric circuit, the conductors being extended through a tubular passage '26 which -is formed through the arm 15 and within the crank disk 14 communicates with a contact member27. A second contact member'28 extends across the path of movement of the side of the cylinder 7, at such a height that whenv the piston 8 is at its uppermost position, so that the arm15 is thrown into its operative, angle, the airadm-itted into the bottom of the cylinder may escape through i the Whistle 29 to. audibl-y advise the traiiic that a signal is being. displayed.

Inorderto provide an air supply for the several signals, an air tank 37 is provided, together with a, pump 38 which is suitably mounted upon or adjacent theautomobile engine, a pipe 39 connecting the tank and the-pump. The pump 38is driven by means of a belt 40 which passes over a pulley 1-1 upon the. engine shaft and a pulley 12 upon The tank 31 isprovided with a blow-off valve n which is automatic in its operation to relieve the pressure Within the tanlc when the predetermined maximum has been reached. The tank- 37 is connected by means of a pipe. 45 to a. distributing valve L6. The .di-stribut ing valve 46 ismounted in a convenient position; upon the dashboard or instrument board of the machine, and includes, in a single casting, suitable mechanism to operate the forward signals. I

Thus, in accordance with the will of the driver, he may signal to following traffic a turn to-the right or-lett, or intent-ionto stop the machine. The'apparatus is equally effective for: day or night use, and of such a simpleand, practical nature that it may be installed; upon. any automobile now in use, ormay be. inconspicuouslyembodiedin the equipment of new machines. In, this connection it should be noted that the workingparts of the forward signals may be completely housed by acasing 69, asshown in Figs.- 10; and. 11, the casing being secured to the base plate 2, and having the slot 70 which will permit the movement of the arm 15 into horizontal position.

lVhile the -form which has been described is that which is now preferred, it is obvious that the invention may be embodied in various modified mechanisms without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

, l. A direction indicator for automobiles comprising a base plate, a cylinder on said plate, a piston and stem movable in said cylinder, said stem extending upwardly through the top thereof and having an angular upper end, a slotted guide block secured on said base slidably receiving said angular end of the piston stem, a link connected to said stem for transverse swinging movement, a semaphore arm pivotally mounted on: said base, a disk at the lower pivoted end of said arm and pivotally connected to they free end of said link, means for actuating said piston to move the arm to horizontal signaling position, means for limiting the movement of said arm into signaling position, and spring means connected to the said stem and to the cylinder to return said arm to vertical non-signaling position upon the release of the first named means.

2. A direction indicator for automobiles comprising a base plate, a cylinder on said plate, a piston and stem movable in said cylinder, said stem extending upwardly tl'n'oupgh the top thereof and having an angular upper end, a slotted guide block secured on said base slidably receiving said angular end of the piston stem, a link connected to said stem for transverse swinging movement. a semaphore arm pivotally mounted on said base, adisk at the lower pivoted end of said arm and pivotally connected to the free end of said link, means for actuatingsaid piston to move the arm to horizontal signalingposition, means for limiting the movement of said arm into signaling position, spring means connected to the stem and to the cylinder to return said arm to vertical non-signalingposition, and means connected to said base to limit the movement of said arm to vertical non-signaling position.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

LEO N'ED' M. KUNISIN. lVitnesses to the name: JOHN THOMKA, Jivo. F. Pnimnwo'r. 

